Research Progress of Ponticulus Posticus: A Narrative Literature Review

Xiaoyan Xu; Yuefeng Zhu; Xing Ding; Mengchen Yin; Wen Mo; Junming Ma

doi:10.3389/fsurg.2022.834551

Research Progress of Ponticulus Posticus: A Narrative Literature Review

Front Surg. 2022 Mar 22:9:834551. doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.834551. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Xiaoyan Xu¹, Yuefeng Zhu^{1

2}, Xing Ding^{1

3}, Mengchen Yin^{1

3}, Wen Mo^{1

3}, Junming Ma^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
² Department of Orthopaedics, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
³ Department of Orthopaedics, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Abstract

Study design: Narrative review.

Objective: The purpose of this review was to consolidate the current literature related to ponticulus posticus (PP) and to improve the systematic understanding of this anatomical variant of atlas among spine surgeons.

Methods: Articles reviewed were searched in PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Embase. All articles of any study design discussing on PP were considered for inclusion. Two independent authors read article titles and abstracts and included appropriate articles. The relevant articles were studied in full text.

Results: A total of 113 literatures were reviewed and consolidated in this narrative review. These articles are roughly divided into the following five subcategories: (1) epidemiology, (2) pathology and anatomy, (3) clinical presentation, (4) surgical significance, and (5) radiographic examination.

Conclusion: The PP is non-negligible with a high prevalence. The PP compresses the V3 segment of the artery, the suboccipital nerve, and the venous plexus, consequently contributing to the incidence of neurological pathologies. When a PP is observed or suspected on a lateral radiograph, we recommend that a computed tomography (CT) scan of a patient who is about to receive a C1 lateral mass screw (C1LMS) should be performed, which could determine a safe entry point and the right trajectory of screw insertion.

Keywords: clinical presentation; narrative review; ponticulus posticus (PP); research progress; surgical significance.

Publication types

Review